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Nezza has no regrets about bringing her culture to center field at a recent Dodgers game.
On Saturday the singer and YouTube star chose to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” in Spanish for her performance at Dodgers Stadium, against the backdrop of massive protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns in Los Angeles and beyond.
Afterward, Nezza — whose full name is Vanessa Hernández, and who is of Colombian and Dominican heritage — revealed in a video that she was explicitly told to sing the national anthem in English but ignored the directive.
“Watch the Dodgers tell me I can’t sing the Spanish ‘Star Spangled Banner’ that Roosevelt literally commissioned in 1945,” she wrote in the video posted to TikTok. “So I did it anyway.”
The video begins with Nezza smiling in a Dominican Republic jersey as she is approached by an unidentified team employee. “We are going to do the song in English today,” the woman says. “I’m not sure if that wasn’t relayed.”
Nezza’s smile immediately disappears, and the video cuts to her performance of the Spanish rendition of the anthem. In a subsequent TikTok video, Nezza tearfully doubled down on her decision.
“Bear with me because I’m still very shaken up and emotional,” she began. She then explained that the Spanish lyrics were officially commissioned by the U.S. State Department in 1945 “as part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor policy to foster a better relationship with Latin America.” (The lyrics were penned by Peruvian American composer Clotilde Arias.)
Kevork Djansezian/Getty
Nezza said that given the Spanish version’s history, she didn’t anticipate being told not to sing it. “Especially because we’re in L.A.,” she added.
“I’ve sung the national anthem [in English] many times in my life,” Nezza said, her voice cracking with emotion. “But… today out of all days, I could not. I’m sorry.” She continued, “I just could not believe when she walked in and told me no. I just felt like I needed to do it. Para mi gente (‘for my people’).”
She went on to say that she made her decision “out of love” and “good energy,” adding that she is “proud” of herself, despite facing some criticism online.
“My parents are immigrants and they’ve been citizens my whole life at this point. They got documented really early, but I just can’t imagine them being ripped away from me,” Nezza said. “Even at this age, let alone [as] a little kid. What are we doing?”
Despite the tears, Nezza laughed as she concluded, “Safe to say I’m never allowed in that stadium ever again.”
A Dodgers spokesperson, however, told Entertainment Weekly that there were no consequences or hard feelings from the organization regarding Nezza’s performance, and that she would be welcome at the stadium in the future.
Phillip Faraone/Getty
Since the performance, several stars have come to Nezza’s defense.
Singer and actress Becky G reshared Nezza’s initial video on Instagram, tagging the Dodgers’ official page and writing, “Don’t you dare turn you backs on us now. We as a city have embraced you and need your support now more than ever. THINK ABOUT WHO FILLS UP YOUR STADIUM.”
On Nezza’s TikTok post, “I’m Yours” singer Jason Mraz commented, “You did the right thing. Let freedom sing!”
In a video posted Sunday, thanking fans for their kind words, Nezza said that George Lopez and his daughter Mayan reached out and offered “the kindest, most amazing words to me.”
The Dodgers have not officially commented on the controversial ICE raids across the Southland ordered by President Donald Trump‘s administration, or the resulting protests and social unrest. Manager Dave Roberts sidestepped a question about the situation at a press conference last week, saying, “I just hope that we can be a positive distraction for what people are going through in Los Angeles right now.”
On his personal Instagram, Dodgers utility player Kike Hernández made an emotional post Sunday, writing, “I may not be Born & Raised, but this city adopted me as one of their own. I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city.”
He continued, “This is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights. #CityOfImmigrants.”
